The Washington Peace Letter is published monthly for the social justice community of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Its purpose is to support local, national and international struggles against oppression. It seeks to present a radical analysis of current events, covering information not readily available in the corporate media.

The Peace Letter welcomes submissions of calendar announcements, articles, letters to the Editor, and artwork from the progressive community. Articles may be from 300-1200 words, but may be edited for space considerations. Preference is given to materials that cover actions or organizing campaigns in the D.C. metropolitan area.

We reserve the right to select or reject any submission.

Except as noted, Peace Letter items are copyright free and may be reproduced. Please give credit and send us a copy if you do use something.

Despite widespread opposition from the people of Vieques, the U.S. Navy renewed bombing of the island on August 14, 2000. The higher cancer rates probably caused by Navy use of Uranium 238 (depleted uranium), and the death of David Sanes, a resident killed during Navy bombing exercises last year, have fueled discontent. Most Vieques residents insist that the US Navy leave their island and that the bombing stop.

Andrés Thomas Conteris, member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation Task Force on Latin America and the Caribbean and a United Methodist lay missioner, began a liquid-only fast on July 25, 2000. This became an open-ended, water-only fast once the Navy renewed bombing on August 14. Prior to the fast Thomas Conteris wrote an open letter to President Clinton urging him to meet personally with religious and peace leaders of Vieques, a request they have made repeatedly over a considerable period of time. He will continue the water-only fast until President Clinton agrees to the long-requested meeting.

Dr. Carmen Carreras of Puerto Rico began a round-the-clock, juice-only fast the day the Navy renewed the bombing. Over 40 people have fasted on a rotating basis in Vieques since July 25 as a plea to President Clinton to meet with their church and peace movement leaders. A dozen people in the U.S. are fasting in a similar manner.

Clinton has had numerous meetings with Navy officials who favor the bombing but refuses to meet with those directly impacted by the military maneuvers.

According to Thomas Conteris, ?It is unacceptable that the Navy continues to bomb the populated island of Vieques and unconscionable that the President refuses to meet with the religious and peace movement leaders. We will continue our witness until that meeting takes place.? Thomas Conteris maintains a vigil in front of the White House, 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, and is available for interviews.

The Puerto Rican National Boricua Human Rights Network is calling for a National Day in Solidarity with the People of Vieques on September 22, 2000, 12:00 noon in Lafayette Park. Other organizations and individuals have joined this call for a major demonstration. If Clinton does not meet with Vieques? non-governmental leaders prior to that time, it will mark the 60th day of the fast, 40 on water-only.

Back to Top